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Our dance theory is composed of six areas of study presented here in the order of importance.

 

1.  Rhythm Study - This is the study of rhythm in dance

     A.  Fundamental Rhythms of all Dance

     B.  Aspects of Rhythm

2.  Partnership Study -  this is the study of how to lead for the man and how to read for the lady.  You learn the Degrees of      

     Partnership.

     A.  First Degree of Partnership -  Understanding posture and dance position

     B. Second Degree of Partnership - Leads and Reads.

     C. Floorcraft- Moving around the room and avoiding collisions.

     D. Body Awareness- Knowing where everyone is.

     E. Spontaneous Choreography - Making it up as you go.

3  Movement Study

     A.  Understanding the Dimensions of movement

     B.  Understanding the Dynamics of dance

     C.  Understanding the Applicable Laws of Physics.

     D. Understanding the Applicable Principles of Kinesiology.

4. Figure Study - This is the study of dance steps.  To master this area, you must learn the keys to figures

    A.  Key 1 - Understand the basic dance breakdown.

         1.  Dances are classified two ways

              a.  Their movement -There are four families.  We call the original members of the family of dances as grandfather dances

                    1.  The Progressive dances from the ragtime era dances circa 1890

                    2.  The Square Box dances from the Viennese Waltz -circa 1820

                    3.  The Triple Chasse dances from the Polka - circa 1840

                    4.  The Diamond Box dances from the Bolero - circa 1790

              b.  Their music- There are three classes

                   1.  Smooth Dances - Come from European music tradition.

                   2.  Latin Dances - Come from both Latin American music tradition.

                   3.  Rhythm Dances - Come from African American music tradition

         2.  Every dance is broken down into figures.

              a.  There are corridor figures that move around the room.

              b.  There are spot figures that stay in a single spot on the floor.

              c.  There are slot figures that move in an imaginary slot on the floor.       

        3  Every figure is broken down into patterns.  Patterns are classified int two ways. 

              a.  The way they are constucted. 

              b.  The way they move.

        4.  Every pattern is broken down into steps.  The smallest unit of a dance is a single step.

             (Note: Two or more steps make a patterns; two or more patterns make a figure; and two or more figures

              make a dance.)

     B.  Key 2 - Understand the anatomy of the foot (There are four main parts to the foot) and the pressure path

         1.  Parts of the foot

               a.  The heel of the foot.

               b.  The flat of the foot. (Situated beneath the ankle bone)

               c.  The ball of the foot. (The bal of the foot is so large that it is further subdivided)

               d. The toe of the foot.

        2.  Pressure path - This is the path the body weight takes as the weight is transferred to the foot.

             a.  The direction controls the body flight.

             b.  The size controls the rotation

    C.  Key 3 - Understand the anatomy of a step.  The method used to perform this controls styling

         1.  The approach

         2.  The landing

         3.   The exit.

    D. Key 4 - Understand how figures are constructed.  Most dance start with the first method (Mathematical Formuals) and then go to one

         of the other methods.  Each dance will use every method.  

         1.  Mathematical Formulas

         2.  Elements

         3.  Thematic variations on the steps.

         4.  Thematic variations on the rhythm 

5.  Character Study - Styling

     A.  Understanding Guidelines for Character 

     B.  Understanding generic styling for each dance based on the flow of the music.

     C. Understanding personal styling for each dance based on the personality of the dancer.

6.  Improvisation 

     A.  Why Improvise  

     B.  Principles of improvisation

     C.  Learning to improvise in each of the other areas of study.

 

 

 

© 1998 by Kenneth Howard- All Rights Reserved

 

        

 

                       

Our Dance Theory

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